Anyone conducting research in Gilded Age news archives will note the proliferation of ads for patent medicines: concoctions promoted as cure-alls for myriad ailments. The industry was notoriously unregulated, with many such products either ineffective or dangerously addictive. Set in 1901 Manhattan, Murder in Rose Hill homes in on this interesting subject. Louisa Rodgers, secretary and would-be journalist at New Century magazine, has been found strangled in her workplace’s lobby, days after the young woman had interviewed former midwife Sarah Malloy at her charity clinic, requesting background for a planned exposé about these tonics. Frank Malloy, private investigator and ex-police detective, is hired by Louisa’s distraught father since the cops dismiss the case as a random attack.

This cozy mystery presents the investigative process as a family affair, with Sarah, Frank, their nanny/secretary Maeve, and her beau Gino hustling through the city, pursuing leads and trying to suss out who’s lying. There’s parental involvement, too, with both Mother Malloy and Sarah’s society-maven mother, Elizabeth, contributing entertainingly astute observations. Besides the intricate process of determining motive, one gripping subplot involves the Malloys’ piecing together of Louisa’s character. “What an odd family,” Frank thinks about the Rodgerses after he meets them all and sees how Louisa’s independent streak stirred up resentment. Louisa’s relatives, her boss, a coworker, and patent medicine manufacturers, among others, land on the suspect list.

Readers won’t have trouble getting oriented if they start with this 27th volume in the Gaslight Mysteries, though the constantly revolving viewpoint takes some getting used to, and Sarah flirting with her husband on the doorstep of Louisa’s funeral feels awkward. Long-time followers of the series may not mind, and the book takes a well-researched look at social and health issues from the era, specifically those affecting older women.
(from the Historical Novels Review, Aug 2024)

Victoria Thompson continues her Gaslight mysteries in Murder in Rose Hill. Midwife Rose Malloy is at a birth when she is approached by Louisa Rodgers who claims she is writing an expose of patent medicine companies and their fraudulent and unhealthy so called medicines. Then she is strangled at the building of her magazine's offices. Her father hires Frank and Sarah Malloy as private investigators to find her killer as the police will do nothing. They find out Louisa was a secretary not a writer for the magazine and that the editor refused to run the story. She quit but who was the killer? A man who claimed to be her betrothed? Her brother who did not like that she was their father's favorite? Other family? Patent medicine corporate types? Read and enjoy this period mystery.

Murder in Rose Hill is such a fun historical murder mystery! Something I l0ve about historical fiction is the tie-in of real-life events that happened during the time period, and this book weaves a thrilling mystery during a time of big historical events. I also loved how I learned so much about real medicines and medical techniques accurate to the timeframe, and how the characters in the book were not afraid to stand up for women's right to safe medical practices. This book was a very feminist cozy murder mystery, my only critique is that the relationship between Sarah and Frank could have been a bit more warm or flirtatious, it felt more like they were glorified friends rather than married partners with children.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This new episode in the Gaslight Mystery series is excellent! Along with a hard-to-put-down, challenging mystery, I enjoy the historical accuracy. I smile when reading about the differences between the electric and gasoline motorcars in 1901, especially how electric motorcars were considered more for women drivers than men. The first day of the novel is the date that President McKinley was shot, and it was as defining a day for that generation as November 22, 1963 was for my contemporaries.

It is a delight to visit Sarah and Frank Malloy and their family. They are a close, loving couple who adore their children and are willing to help others. Sarah’s parents are wealthy and down-to-earth. It is funny to see how much her mother wants to help their investigations. Even her father is interested in doing his part. Frank’s mother, only called Mother Malloy, voices some of the simple, yet profound questions that help them with new clues or solutions.

Maeve, the nanny to their two children, enjoys everything she can do for the investigations, and works as the receptionist and secretary at Frank’s company when the children are in school. Gino was Frank’s younger partner on the police force and is now his partner in the private investigation firm. Gino adores Maeve, but she hesitates to give voice to her feelings for him. Mother Malloy is certain that a proposal is forthcoming.

Sarah was at the women’s clinic she founded on the Friday Louisa Rodgers came in for assistance with a magazine article. Louisa was writing about patent medicines that were available for almost every ailment, hoping that revealing the dangers would get them removed from the market. Most contained healing herbs with a large percentage of alcohol or opiates. Even women of the upper class used them for anything from colds to menopause, and some mother used them to help colicky babies. Sadly, women and even babies would become addicted. Sarah and Louisa conversed for a while that day, and Sarah gave her card to Louisa should she have additional questions.

The following week, Louisa’s father, Bernard Rodgers, came to the Malloy home. He found Sarah’s card in Louisa’s things. She had been found murdered in the lobby of the building where the magazine office was housed. He wanted her killer found, but the police said it was probably done at random and refused to investigate. He wondered how Sarah knew her, and she explained that Louisa asked questions regarding an article she was writing for her magazine. Mr. Rodgers was startled, as Louisa was a secretary, not a reporter, for the magazine.

Sarah explained about Frank’s private investigation firm, since Mr. Rodgers could get no help from New York City police. Sarah took Mr. Rodgers to Frank’s office, as he was very unsteady and emotional. He appreciated Frank’s responses, and quickly hired him. Frank and Gino were able to start working the case that day, and Maeve was thrilled to have an undercover role in the case.

I fully appreciated the work to find who killed Louisa, and how the author researched and wrote very believably of the era. Trying to find a killer in New York City at a time when there was no internet, few landline phones, no email or any other 21st century advantages was much more challenging than the present day. They had several suspects, including a co-worker Louisa refused to date and a too-friendly woman in the rooming house where Louisa lived. Within days, one of Louisa’s family members died. It appeared to be suicide, but more than one person was doubtful.

When it was finally determined who killed Louisa, I was only slightly surprised as it was someone I had considered on and off throughout. Overall, the end of the novel was very satisfying, and I even looked up some questions I had about patent medicines and President McKinley. I highly recommend this mystery and series!

the setup…
Sarah Malloy was at her women’s clinic when she receives a visit from a young woman who claims to be writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers is focused on patent medicines, these “cure-all” remedies that actually contained addictive drugs and alcohol. Not a fan, Sarah allows her to talk to the women currently at the clinic, understanding that Louisa plans to expose these companies in her article. A few days later, Louisa’s distraught father Bernard comes to see Sarah, seeking help in finding who might have killed his daughter who was found strangled in the lobby of her magazine’s building.

the heart of the story…
Frank Malloy is engaged by Bernard Rodgers to investigate his daughter’s death and he and his team, Gino Donatelli and Maeve Smith, find quite a few potential suspects. I enjoyed seeing them in action again, especially Maeve who is skilled at playing out undercover roles to get people to share vital information. It was also enlightening to learn about patent medicines that were popular during this era, completely unregulated without disclosure of their contents. This was also the same year (1901) when President McKinley was shot and later died, elevating their friend Teddy Roosevelt to the office.

the bottom line…
It’s another highly interesting case with lots of angles to explore. Of course, everyone has a role, including Sarah and her society parents, and Frank’s mother during those late evening parlor discussions. The historical elements serve as an important backdrop, based on true facts and characters of that time. Oh, and there’s some movement with the Maeve and Gino…finally. This continues to be one of my favorite historical mystery series for good reason.

At the beginning of Murder in Rose Hill, Louisa Rodgers stops by Sarah’s clinic to interview her about a story she plans to write for an infant magazine, New Century. Sarah is surprised because very few women writers were on staff at the turn of the 20th century. Louisa’s topic, also a surprise, is women’s health, focusing on the charlatans who manufacture patent medicines. Sarah shares Louisa’s concerns and cooperates, giving her information for the article. When Louisa’s father learns of her homicide, he hires Frank Malloy, through Sarah, to find the murderer.

The mystery has many potential suspects. Even though I zeroed in on the actual killer early, I couldn’t cross off some suspects completely. I enjoyed following Sarah, Frank, and the team as they tracked down clues and finally revealed the killer. It was an incredible journey with fantastic characters. I love that we get an update on the main characters’ personal lives. They are delightful book friends that I enjoy visiting every year.

What I love about good historical authors is their ability to weave actual events seamlessly into their stories. Ms. Thompson gives us a taste of life at the turn of the twentieth century by painting a verbal picture of the haves and the have nots during the era. It is a sad time for some women and people who are not wealthy. Their quest to achieve their goals is almost impossible. Murder in Rose Hill is set in the fall of 1901. Behind the scenes, we learn President McKinley was shot. As vice president, Theodore Roosevelt had a good chance of moving into the presidency. Magazines are beginning to write exposé to shine a light on the corruption in the oil industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the mistreatment of employees.

I have been a big fan of the Gaslight Mystery series since I read the first book. As soon as I see the release date, I put the next book on my TBR list and calendar to order immediately. While each book works as a standalone novel, a lot of the history of the characters and their struggle to get where they are is missed.

I can’t wait to see where Victoria Thompson will take us in the next book.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Mystery
Gore Level: Low
Swearing: I wasn't aware of any.
Readability: Highly! This is #27 in the series, but I found it easy to read without having read the previous books

I can't believe I've never read a book by Victoria Thompson—this is a solid cozy mystery, the historical details are interesting, and I was hooked! NOW I must read more!

The dynamic between the characters is great—there are three main couples on the investigative side, but one set are the parents of our main investigative team, and the other set are employed. I enjoyed how each person had a distinct personality and reflected different aspects of society. There's the high society, the change in society, and the growing relationships between different migrant populations.

For the murder. As soon as we met the young wannabe reporter, I knew she was in extreme danger. Can you imagine going against the patent medicine industry at that time as a woman? Wow! She was gutsy. And she pays for that with her life. But whodunnit? You've got the lover, the newspaper, the patent medicine companies, and the homeless man who hung around that building. Heck, you've even got women from her rooming house who are jealous. The police have wrapped up the case, but it's not solved. There are so many viable suspects which made this a delicious cozy mystery.

I liked how the investigators were fallible and muddling through. It felt more realistic in that way. I also enjoyed the historical touches of Roosevelt that were thrown into the mix. It was truly a rich world.

I highly recommend this mystery.

Happy (sleuthing) reading!

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I always love the Gaslight Mystery series and look forward to each one. I've enjoyed the various characters but was glad Frank and Sarah were well involved here, along with Maeve and Gino. Mother Malloy is one sharp cookie. The Deckers are always a pleasant addition and I love Catherine and Brian (wish we saw a bit more of them).

Sarah met a young woman who was writing an article about patent medicines. At this time, that didn't mean they had a patent or were even really medicine. They were more likely to be full of alcohol or heroin or opium. They were popular since they relieved pain but they didn't really cure anyone. Louisa was writing an expose of sorts about these medicines.

When Louisa turns up dead, her grieving father hires them to find her killer. Is it a purveyor of medicines who killed her? Is it someone at her rooming house or coworkers? Also, the family has all kinds of grudges and fights. Her mother wanted her to marry and not have a job. She and her brother never got along, because Louisa was excellent at school and a favorite of her father.

The fun thing about these stories is we learn a lot about the level of medicine, law enforcement, society classes and living conditions in New York City of this past time. In Murder in Rose Hill, President McKinley has just died and so it's likely Sarah's old friend Teddy will now be President. I really appreciate how the author includes themes and details which are accurate to the period. The author's note is a must read for me.

As usual, the whole team gathers the oddest bits of evidence to get to the truth. There is also a nice background of their personal and family lives.

The scene setting in these is always good and there are a few believable villains to consider. I’ve been a fan of the series since book one.
While I liked this mystery, my trouble overall with the later books in this series is with four pov characters (and sometimes five or six with Sarah’s parents) instead of two is there are more scene changes. The pace slowed as we hopped around to follow multiple threads and got all the characters caught up again. I miss seeing Sarah take a leading role like she used to. So even though the mystery is good and I like these characters, I find myself wishing for the plot to progress faster and for more of Sarah and Frank.

When an eager journalist investigates patent remedies, Sarah candidly warns her of the dangers. Tragedy strikes when the journalist is found strangled. As Sarah and her investigator husband delve into the journalist’s life, they uncover a web of deception. To expose the killer, they must unravel the mystery of who the journalist really was.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoyed the mystery aspect. The world-building was a little flat for me. The novel isn’t moody like a gothic mystery, or quirky like a cozy. The affect is more like a straightforward police procedural. So, if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll enjoy this book.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this newest entry into the gaslight mystery series. Sarah, Malloy, Gino, and Maeve are my favorite investigative team with each person bring a different perspective and understanding to the investigation. Gino had a fairly small role but we saw a lot of Frank, Sarah, Maeve and much to my delight even Sarah's parents. I have yet to read the early books in the series but at least in the later books Sarah's parents have been my favorite side characters as is Frank's mother.

The mystery was a good one. I was fascinated and somewhat horrified by the information on patent medicine and how people tended to take them. But did Louisa's article on these patent medicines cause her murder? And just who was Louisa really? She's painted as a saint and terrible person so someone has to be lying.

This series just keeps getting better. The characters are solid, the relationships are evolving in an authentic feeling way, and the mysteries typically pull aspects of the timeperiod that I know very little about. The more I read the more I like this series and I can't wait for the next book!

historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, private-investigators, wealthy, entitled-attitude, NYC, politics, politicians, family-business, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-expectations*****

It all started on the day POTUS Wm. McKinley was shot and concluded on the day he died and Teddy Roosevelt became the POTUS. A young woman from a wealthy dysfunctional family wanted to emulate Ida Tarbell in her investigative journalism. But she was murdered for her efforts and the police decided that it was unsolvable, so they stopped trying within hours. When she died she happened to have Sarah Molloy's calling card in her pocket, so the distraught father came to Sarah who then took him to her husband's Private Investigation office. And now the game is afoot with both Tom's employees and the enthusiastic (if unwise) help of Sarah's society mother. Well done!
All the while we learn historical things like attitudes, behaviors, gas vs electric cars, political turmoil, and most importantly, all the dirt about "Patent Medicines".
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley via NetGalley. Thank you

I enjoy all of the regular characters and their interactions (go Mother Mallory!). The mystery kept me guessing. I also like the little bit of history we get at the end of the book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review. This is one of my favorite series. I hope for many more in the years to come.

The story begins when Louisa Rodgers comes to the women's clinic where Sarah volunteers to find out what they know about patent medicines. Louisa is a socialite who wants to be a journalist and is hoping to write an article exposing the dangers of patent medicines.

When Bernard Rodgers comes to see Frank a few days later, he wants Malloy to discover who murdered his daughter Louisa. There are plenty of suspects including a delusional stalker who claims he and Louisa were engaged, a fellow boarder at Louisa's boarding house who claims to be Louisa's best friend, and the owner of a company that makes patent medicines.

As Frank and Sarah investigate, they learn that all was not well in the Rodgers' home. While her father doted on Louisa and disparaged his son Oscar, her mother was just the opposite.

Then Mr. Rodgers is found dead of an apparent suicide which greatly complicates the case.

I liked the setting and the historical detail as the story takes place the same time McKinlay was shot and later died making Theodore Roosevelt, an acquaintance of the Malloys, president. I liked the information about patent medicines. I liked Sarah's electric car.

This was an entertaining historical mystery which is the 27th book in the series.

Murder in Rose Hill by Victoria Thompson, the 27th installment in the Gaslight Mystery series, stands out with its unique charm. Even if you're new to the series, you'll find it captivating as a stand-alone read. And if you weren't already a fan, prepare to add the previous 26 books to your TBR list, as this one will surely ignite your love for the series.

The characters in Murder in Rose Hill are not just well-developed, they are relatable and endearing. Sarah, in particular, is a character you can't help but root for. Her husband, Frank, is a fascinating figure, ahead of his time. The supporting cast, each with their unique charm, perfectly complements Sarah and Frank, making their journey all the more engaging.

The historical elements in Murder in Rose Hill are not mere background details, but integral parts of the story. The turn-of-the-century setting, with its detailed depiction of home life and the impact of news events, offers a captivating window into the past. This meticulous attention to historical detail not only enriches the narrative but also transported me to that time and place, enhancing my reading experience.

The mystery in Murder in Rose Hill unfolds early in the story, a delightful surprise. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns, and revelations, leading to an ending that is impossible to predict. The strategic placement of red herrings keeps the suspense high, and the pacing is just right, ensuring the story never drags, but instead, kept me guessing and glued to the pages.

Murder in Rose Hill is an engaging historical mystery full of everything I love in the genre!

Sarah Decker Malloy just delivered a baby at her women's clinic. A young woman, Louisa Rodgers, visits writing a news article about the dangers of patent medicines. Sarah is happy to share her concerns about the medicines.

Later that week, Bernard Rodgers visits Sarah, who explains that his daughter, Louisa, has been found strangled in the lobby of the newspaper office where Louisa works as a secretary, not a reporter as she led Sarah to believe. The police have already decided the killer cannot be found; it was a random attack. Sarah asks Frank to take on the case. As Sarah, Frank, Maeve, and Gino start investigating, they learn a lot does not appear as its seems in Louisa's life.

This is book 27 in the Gaslight Mystery series, and it did not disappoint! What a book!

Murder in Rose Hill by Victoria Thompson is a wonderful historical fiction and mystery that is the 27th book in the delightful and longstanding Gaslight Mystery series.

I have read every one of these novels that are a part of this brilliant series. At this point, I really do feel like Frank, Sarah, Maeve, Gino, and the rest of the cast are part of my extended family. One could follow along easily if they picked this up as a first novel, but why would one not want to start from the very beginning?

I liked the continuation of the personal lives of the characters in this one, and the murder/mystery did keep me guessing for the majority of the story, however I did figure out the culprit before it was revealed. That does not detract from the drama, quick one-liners, and smooth pacing that I have come to expect from this series.

The characters are a delight, and I really, really like the way the book ended.

Highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Berkley Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/23/24.

Midwife Sarah Malloy and her private investigator husband are hired to investigate the death of a young woman who was writing a magazine article on the dangers of patent medicines. This is the twenty-seventh Gaslight Mystery, which means I've missed a lot of history between the characters, but it was easy enough to jump in. The historical setting was fascinating with lots of details about the patent medicine insdustry and every day life. I'm used to mysteries that stick with one main protagonist -- this one was all over the place, jumping between Sarah and her husband and their family and employees as they all played a part in the investigation.

Another amazing mystery. In this outing, the victim is not a very likable woman, but that doesn't stop Frank and Sarah from finding the culprit. As always, I learned something new and the ending has me awaiting the next installment! #netgalley #victoriathompson #gaslightmysteries

Twenty-seven book in, there's a reason why I keep coming back to the Gaslight Mystery series. Because when it's firing on all cylinders, it's my favorite kind of comfort read. And Murder in Rose Hill has all the best things about the series: a good mystery, historical touchstones, and above all, lots of fun with our favorite characters.

The mystery begins with a murdered young woman and proceeds through the twists of her professional and personal life until all suspects are eliminated... all but the killer. Meanwhile, President McKinley has been shot, Sarah and Frank balance work and family, and Maeve may finally have to make a decision about Gino and their growing feelings for each other.

I really enjoyed the mystery of this one, which was a relief after Murder on Bedford Street disappointed me. While I still identified the murdere before our heroes, they weren't lagging so far behind me this time! There some very good suspects to choose from.

But most of all, I loved how much timed was spent with our main four interacting and moving forward in their personal plots. Sarah and Frank's martial bliss (and banter) had me grinning, and I was so glad to see real progress between Gino and Maeve – at long last! She, of course, continues to be the smartest of the bunch when it comes to mysteries, and now she's catching up in the interpersonal relationships department, too, which is gratifying, after all she's been through.

This book had me hooked from the start, then left me satisfied – but still wanting more. If you love the characters as much as i do, you won't be disappointed by Murder in Rose Hill.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.